Canvas check-dam



B. H. PATRICK.-

CANVAS CHECK DAM.

APPLICATION man OCT-22, 1920.

Patented June 14, 1921.

UNITED- STA L BErIJmIN Ii. rarnrcit, OFIBQISE, IDAHO.

CAN V AS CHECK-DAM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 14, 1921.

To all whom it my concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN H. PAT- RICK, citizen of the United States, residing at Boise, in the county of Ada and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Canvas Check-Dams, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to canvas check dams, and particularly to such structure intended for use in irrigation ditches to cause backfiow in the trunk or branch ditches to fill the laterals.

An object, of my invention is to provide a structure to be used in place of dirt dams, as now commonly used in the practice of irrigation, which improved dam structure can be inexpensively manufactured and is readily transported and set up for use, and as readily removed when its purpose has been fule A further object resides in constructing the dam to catch all of the water passing through the ditch, and in arranging an overflow or spillway through the body of the am, which spillway can be regulated as to size and can be entirely closed.

With these and other objects in view which will be apparent from the drawings, specification and claim, this invention includes certain novel features of construction 'and combinations of parts which will now be set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing a canvas check dam in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken l0ngitudinally through an irrigation ditch showing my invention in place.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view transversely through a ditch with the dam fitted therein.

The dam comprises a main body or sheet 1 of heavy canvas or other suitable material, this body being of a width and depth of the irrigation ditch in which it is to be used, and of substantially rectangular form.

At its top the body sheet has its edge turned over and stitched down to form an open loop 2, and at its two lower corners the body sheet has tape or webbing stake loops 3 and 4.

A spillway opening 5 is provided through the body sheet 1 midway between the ends and adjacent its top edge, and the spillway tube 6, of fabric or other material, is secured in this opening by stitching or other fastenings.

At the free end of the spillway tube a casing is turned back as at 7, and drawstrin 8 and 9 are run through this casing. y pulling on the drawstrings 8 and 9 the size of the discharge opening of the spillway tube can be constricted.

In use, a pole 10 is passed through the open loop 2 with its ends extending therefrom, and this pole is laid across an irrigating ditch substantially as shown in Fig. 3 w1th the ends of the pole resting on the banks on each side. The body sheet 1 is then spread on the bottom of the ditch on the upstream side of pole 10 with the spillway tube on the downstream side, and stakes 11 are driven into the earth through the stake loops 3 and 4. The pressure of the water against the body sheet 1 will cause the edges to be tightly held against the bottom and sides of the ditch, and the pole 10 will be retained in place by the weight of the water or if desired this pole might be held 1n place by stakes or buried in the earth, as shown in the drawings. When the elevation of the water behind the dam has been raised sufiiciently to fill the laterals excess water will flow through the spillway and this water can be made use of at a lower point in the ditch. However, if the flow in the main ditch becomes slow the drawstrings 8 and 9 can be pulled in to reduce the discharge opening of the spillway tube, or even close the same, and in this way a sufiicient amount of water will be retained on the upper side of the dam to supply the laterals.

While, in the foregoing, I have described specific embodiments, and have mentioned only certain possible modifications, it will be appreciated that in practice I do not limit myself to such specific details as herein set forth, but may resort to any practical modifications falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A. check dam comprising a rectangular body sheet of fabric having an open loop for reception of a supporting pole vided with a spillway opening ,mi

and prodway between its ends beneath the openloop atth'e 5 top edge,

of fabric material secured stake loops provided on the lower a pi ayit be opening of the body sheet and having a casing formed at its outer end, and drawstrings run through said casing to be pulled in to constricij th'e'a discharge; opening of the spill- Way, tube.

' In testimon yvhereof I aflix my signature. E-NJAMIN H. PATRICK. 

